Gloabal Warming

The science

Global warming refers to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans over time. This temperature rise is the result of an increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane, nitrous oxide and aerosols, in our atmosphere.

When sunlight strikes the Earth’s surface, some of it is reflected back towards space as infrared radiation or heat. Greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere. Normal amounts of gases are what keep the Earth warm and habitable. However, the build up of gasses beyond the normal levels and at a rate that the environment cannot alleviate, is what causes global warming. Surface air temperatures and sub-surface ocean temperatures are rising and are expected to continue to rise.

The effect

An increased global temperature will shift ecosystems. Glaciers will retreat, altering water supply for habitats and millions of people. Plant productivity and vitality will change, destroying fragile ecosystems. Overall, the effects are widespread and largely irreparable.

The record highs of atmospheric gases are the result of burning fossil fuels, clearing of land and agriculture activity. According to most experts, the sharp increase of dramatic warming in the past 50 years is attributable to human activity. In the United States, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from petroleum and natural gas, represents 82 percent of our total human-made greenhouse gas emissions.

Global warming is more than just glaciers and polar bears. The Great Lakes is the largest freshwater body of water on the planet, the single largest source of surface fresh water in the world. Scientists estimate that the lakes are warmer and water levels are declining, with no end in sight.

The problem

The Midwest is at the center of our global warming problems and can be at the center of our solutions.

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin account for 20% of the carbon pollution in the United States with only 5% of the world’s total pollution. The Midwest alone is responsible for more global warming pollution than most countries across the globe except for China, India, Russia and Japan. There are several factors that make the Midwest critical to global warming solutions:

The Midwest has the largest concentration of old, dirty coal plants that produce large amounts of carbon dioxide which cause global warming.
As the hub on the United States transportation industry, the crossroads of America has developed a heavy carbon burden.

The solutions

Clean technologies mean a cleaner world for all. Not only do modern technologies reduce carbon pollution, they reduce other harmful pollutants that poison our lakes, make our land infertile, and harm human health. By reducing global warming pollution, we help to make our energy and transportation systems more efficient, protect our forest ecosystems, wildlife and biodiversity, and improve our air quality and protect peoples’ health.

We need the political and economic capital to make clean energy decisions happen today. For example, renewable energy, such as wind and others, currently supplies about 2% of the region’s electricity supply. We have the technology to meet 20% of our energy supply needs through clean, renewable energy. The result – a 51% reduction in carbon dioxide – is a larger reduction than proposed by the Kyoto Treaty.

Clean car technology can produce more efficient, less polluting cars that get better mileage and create needed manufacturing jobs. We have the technology to clean up dirty diesel trucks and use cleaner fuels – but we can only achieve success by avoiding roadblocks and creating policies that reduce pollution.

It is our moral imperative to address our carbon consumption for today’s world and generations to come. With current technologies, policies and personal actions we can take a huge take step forward in securing our energy future with homegrown business and innovation while protecting our natural resources.

Federal legislation

In June of 2009 the House of Representatives successfully passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive plan to transition America to a clean energy economy and reduce carbon pollution. Now it is time for the U.S. Senate to draft their version of national energy and climate legislation. Please urge your Senators to write legislation that expands and improves the House version of the bill. Read a summary of the American Clean Energy and Security Act here.